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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Laughing Kookaburra" data-source="post: 3206842" data-attributes="member: 131892">I really appreciate all the suggestions here, especially since some of you have used multiple models we’re discussing.There’s only 1 oz difference between the Zeiss Terra ED and Vanguard Ed II 8 x 32, which is negligible especially if that ounce brings you better usability and performance. I’ve not made a decision, just narrowing choices to 8 x 32 and using the Terra ED as a benchmark – meaning a glass has to be not much heavier and offer as good a performance and come in at a relatively close pricepoint (within $50-100). You can get the Terra ED for as little as $309 now without the Under Armour harness. I thought the Terra ED has a rubberized armor coating like the Vanguard ED II? How do you define optics, if not by image quality? To a trained eye, what are the Vanguard ED II superior optics going to offer? When I called and asked a binoc guy at B&H Photo (this doesn’t make him an expert, especially since who knows how much experience he has), he said he defined better optics as better contrast, and that the Terra ED had better contrast. If the ED II focus is longer, does this also mean it’s more fine and accurate? I’ve tried a friend’s $200 binoculars from a decade ago that had a fast focus wheel but that also meant it was difficult to get just the right focus.Unless the Vanguard is on sale somewhere I couldn’t find, it’s $399, while the Terra ED can be found for $309. Wouldn’t consider the 8 x 42 model of the Terra ED because of the much higher weight and larger size.</blockquote>

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